chapter 13

That night was a sleepless one for Peter. The words of the Sheikh echoed in his head, haunting him as he tossed and turned in his bed. The weight of the decision he was about to make felt like a heavy burden on his shoulders.

The next morning, Peter tried to push aside his inner turmoil as he went about his routine. He had his breakfast and wandered into the garden, hoping to find some solace in the familiar surroundings. As he strolled among the lush greenery, lost in his thoughts, he was greeted by his friends.

"Good morning, Peter. How are you?" Ali's warm voice broke through his reverie.

"I'm good, what about yourself?" Peter replied, forcing a smile despite the weariness in his eyes.

"I'm fine, but I doubt you are, though. Those heavy dark circles tell me another story. Is something bothering you?" Layla's perceptive gaze caught Peter off guard.

"No, nothing," Peter replied quickly, not wanting to burden his friends with his troubles.

"If you say so. Just remember that I'm here if you want to talk," Ali said, giving Peter a reassuring pat on the shoulder before they all went back to their tasks in the garden.

Peter found some respite in tending to the plants, cutting away the overgrown weeds and nurturing the blossoming flowers. The sun shone brightly overhead, casting a warm glow over their small sanctuary. The laughter and banter of friends filled the air, momentarily pushing back the shadows that lingered in Peter's mind.

Layla joined them later, carrying a tray with a delicious chocolate cake, her specialty that never failed to lift their spirits. They sat together, enjoying each other's company and savoring the simple joys of friendship.

But as the hours passed and the sun began to set, a sense of unease crept back into Peter's heart. He bid farewell to his friends and made his way back to the mansion, only to be confronted by the Sheikh himself blocking his path.

"Good afternoon, Peter. Did you think about my proposition? What is your answer?" the Sheikh's voice was calm but insistent.

"Good afternoon, Master. My answer didn't change, and it's still a no," Peter replied, steeling himself for what was to come.

The Sheikh's demeanor shifted subtly, a hint of impatience creeping into his tone. "You know I wanted to be as gentle as I could with you. Unfortunately, you don't leave me another way out."

With a wave of his hand, guards appeared carrying a large box that they placed at Peter's feet. The Sheikh's next words sent a chill down Peter's spine.

"What are you doing? How could you?" Peter's voice trembled with fear and disbelief.

The Sheikh's eyes bore into Peter's, cold and calculating. "How could I? Yes, I can! Don't forget who I am. I am the master of this city. I can do anything. Any living being in this country is mine. I can do whatever pleases me with them.I left you a choice but unfortunately you choose the hard wayAccept my offer be my puppet or watch as i drain them."

Peter felt a surge of panic rising within him as he realized the gravity of the situation. The Sheikh held all the power, and now he had leverage over Peter in the form of Layla and Ali's safety.

"Alright, I will do it. Just don't hurt them, please," Peter conceded, his voice barely above a whisper.

The Sheikh's lips curled into a sinister smile as he approached Peter, towering over him with an air of superiority. "Good boy," he said dismissively before releasing Layla and Ali and handing Peter a computer.

As Peter accepted the device, a wave of conflicting emotions washed over him. He knew what he had to do, even if it meant betraying his principles and risking everything he held dear.

With a heavy heart, Peter set to work, his fingers flying across the keyboard as he delved into the Sheikh's brother's database. The familiar thrill of hacking surged through him, mingling with guilt and fear as he extracted the sensitive information he was tasked with stealing.

After hours of meticulous work, Peter emerged from the shadows of the night with a USB flash drive containing the stolen data. He made his way to the Sheikh's office, heart pounding in his chest as he presented the incriminating evidence.

The Sheikh's expression betrayed

a hint of approval as he reviewed the stolen data. "I'm satisfied. I knew that you could do it. Keep it up, obey me, and I will make you see all the beauty of this world."

With a dismissive nod, the Sheikh signaled for Peter to leave, leaving him alone in his room with a heavy conscience and a gnawing sense of dread for what lay ahead.